Combination antiretroviral therapy for the treatment of HIV has a high pill burden. Two dual-tablets, abacavir-lamivudine and tenofovir-emtricitabine, are now licensed in the United States and will be available in Australia in December 2005. Data available suggest that the potency of these tablets are similar in controlling replication of the HIV virus, but not have not been directly compared in regard to clinically significant toxicities. We therefore aim to compare the overall safety and efficacy of the two dual-tablets over a 2 year period in HIV infected adults. We hypothesise that the two dual-NRTI treatments will be similar in efficacy and safety.

The aim of this study is to compare the overall safety and efficacy of two dual-NRTI, once daily, tablets over a 2 year period in HIV infected adults.

The study is a randomised, multi-centre, 2 year study of two dual NRTI, once daily tablets in subjects with HIV, currently taking two individual NRTIs as part of their therapy. 350 subjects will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to either:

tenofovir (TDF) 300mg + emtricitabine (FTC) 200mg OR

abacavir (ABC) 600mg + lamivudine (3TC) 300mg. Subjects will cease their current individual NRTI treatment, commence their randomised dual NRTI tablet, and continue on their current NNRTI or PI therapy.

Subjects will be stratified by the type of NRTI they are currently taking (ABC, TDF or other); whether they are currently taking a protease inhibitor (yes or no); and by the site where they are randomised. A study plan is enclosed

Subjects will be closely monitored (at 1 month and then every 3 months until week 96) for safety by evaluating the incidence and severity of adverse effects/abnormal laboratory parameters. Study investigations enclosed. It is optional whether subjects also provide plasma, serum and cells (PBMCs) for storage. These samples will be available for analysis for sub-studies agreed to through the IVRN expression of interest network.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

documented HIV infection

age at least 18 years

stable (≥ to 12 weeks) ART including at least two NRTIs, currently well tolerated, with no plan to change any other component of the ART regimen at or after baseline

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00192634